Yarn processing apparatus and process

ABSTRACT

A process and apparatus for heat treatment of yarn in which yarn is passed through a nozzle where it is contacted by heated air and through a tubular convoluted conduit while subjected to radiant heat. A second nozzle is provided at the exit of the convoluted conduit in which the yarn is contacted with cooling air to provide substantially immediate cooling of the yarn while in the relaxed state. Yarns relaxed and set by this process have increased loft, bulk and a better &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;hand.&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;

United States Patent [191 11 3,866,279 Kennedy Feb. 18, 1975 [5 YARNPROCESSING APPARATUS AND 3,439.39: 4/1969 DcVore ct ill. 23/62 x PROCESS3,478,401 11/1969 Whitworth et al 28/62 3,526,024 9/1970 Fay 28/62 [75]Inventor: Harry R. Kennedy, Greer, SC.

[73] Assignee: The Richen Co., Inc., Greenville, Primary Examiner LouisK. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or FirmLyon & Lyon [22] Filed: June 20, 197321 A 1. No.1 37] 890 l 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 255,399, May 22, 1972, A Process andapparatus for heat treatment of y in abandoned, which is a continuationof Ser, No, which yarn is'passed through a nozzle where it is con-880,744, Nov. 28, 1969, abandoned. tacted by heated air and through atubular convoluted conduit while subjected to radiant heat. A second[52] U.S. Cl. 28/62, 28/72 HR nozzle is provided at the exit of theconvoluted con- [51] Int. Cl. D02j 13/00, D06c l/OO duit in which theyarn is contacted with cooling air [58] F e d Of S a c 28/ 72 to providesubstantially immediate cooling of the yarn 57/34 B while in the relaxedstate. Yarns relaxed and set by this process have increased loft, bulkand a better [56] References Cited h dy UNITED STATES PATENTS i3.408',7l6 11/1968 Tradewell 28/62 22 Chums 7 Drawmg F'gures PATENTED3,866,279

INVEN TOR. 5409/ Q KfW/KJ/ 1 YARN PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PROCESS Thisapplication is a continuation of Ser. No. 255,399, filed May 22, 1972,which application is a continuation of Ser. No. 880,744, filed Nov. 28,1969, both now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the production of bulked yarn, such asthat used in the manufacture of carpets, textured yarn is preferablyheated while under minimum tension which permits the'filaments to shrinkwhen heat is imparted thereto. When heat is applied to yarn underminimum tension by contacting the yarn with a heated surface, as hasbeen attempted previously, it is extremely difficult to obtainsatisfactory heating since the yarn, being under minimum tension, doesnot uniformly contact the heated surface. This, of course, results inunevenly heated yarn which in turn produces bulked yarn of inferiorquality.

Because of this difficulty in direct contact heating, it is preferableto heat yarn while under minimum tension or in a relaxed state by theapplication of radiant heat. Since heat transfer by radiant heat is lessefficient than by direct contact, the yarn is enclosed during the heattreatment as, for example, by passing it through a heated tube ofsufficient diameter that the yarn does not contact the wall of the tube.To avoid such contact, however, and at the same time to provide apractical means of processing the yarn, is quite difficult. One at temptto achieve this has been to orient the tube vertically, but because ofspace limitations, the maximum tube length is impractical. Althoughconsiderable diffiwhy has been encountered in heat treating yarn by theapplication of radiant heat, nevertheless yarn thus treated is highlydesirable, being characterized by substantially uniform dyeability,consistency of bulk and uniformly smooth hand as compared with bulkedyarn produced by direct contact heating.

One recent apparatus which has been proposed for radiant heat treatmentof textured yarn is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,408,716. It is difficult,however, with such apparatus to achieve consistently uniform applicationof heat and to maintain the yarn centrally of the tube as it travelsthrough the convoluted tubular conduit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus and process for heat treating yarn inwhich the yarn is heated by radiant heat. The yarn is passed through anozzle and a tubular convoluted conduit while in contact with heated airwhich causes the yarn to travel through the conduit while heat isapplied thereto.'

It is an object of this invention to provide a process and apparatus toapply uniformly heat to textured yarn to relax (shrink) the same and setthe twist therein.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improvedprocess and apparatus which iscapable of producing yarn of increasedloft and bulkiness.

A further object of this invention is the provision of yarn processingapparatus which includes an improved cooling means for the heated yarn.

Another object of this invention is the provision of yarn processingapparatus including improved means for heating and uniformly passingyarn through such apparatus.

' DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic fragmentary perspective view illustrating thegeneral process and apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing one form of heat treatingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a portion of theheat treating apparatus of FIG. 2 in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an improved nozzleadapted for use in this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pressure relief nozzleadapted for use in this invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one form of controlled andintegrated process and apparatus utilizing this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating yarn relaxed andset by the process and apparatus of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the generalprocess and apparatus are illustrated. Yarn is fed from a supply cone 1by a feed means which includes feed roll 2, pressure roll 3 and a stopmotion microswitch 4 and solenoid 5, which controls movement of the yarnto stop the feeding if the yarn stops moving through the apparatus. Theyarn is thus positively fed into a first nozzle 6 (enclosed withinhousing 7) through which it is introduced into a yarn tube and heatingmeans. Heated air is injected into the nozzle which contacts the yarnpassing through the nozzle and causes the yarn to move through theheating apparatus, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

After the yarn has traveled through the heating unit, it passes througha second or pressure relief nozzle 11 and into cooling means 12 whichcontains reservoir 13 therein to permit the accumulation of yarn thusfacilitating cooling and setting. Yarn is withdrawn from the coolingmeans by rewinding apparatus 14, the rate of rewinding, of course, beingregulated to permit the yarn to remain in the cooling means forsufficient time for adequate cooling. As the yarn is removed from thecooling means, it passes under bar 15 which is positioned adjacenttrough 16 whereby sufficient tension is exerted on the yarn to removeany snags or kinks which may have developed during cooling.

In FIG. 2 and 3 the heating unit is shown in detail. In FIG. 2, aplurality of heating stations (a greater or lesser number of suchstations can, of course, be used) are utilized in which yarn is fedthrough nozzles 6 and into convoluted tubular conduits 21. Heated air isinjected into each of the nozzles 6 at 22, which serves to move the yarnthrough the tubular conduits while in a substantially relaxed ortensionless condition and also to supply at least a portion of the heatrequired for the heat treatment. After traveling through the tubularconduit, the yarns pass through pressure relief nozzles 11 and on tocooling chambers (see FIGS. 1 and 6).

A gun heater 30 is connected to tube 31 to inject heated air into nozzle6. Preheated air is fed to the gun heater through line 32, beingsupplied thereto from is connected to a control such as shown in FIG. 6,and

is correlated with the gun heater, which is connected through lead 39 tothe control, to regulate properly the temperature of the air passingthrough the yarn tube.

The tubular conduit 21 is disposed in a plurality of convolutions 40about the tank 33 through which the yarn passes. As the yarn exits fromthe tubular conduit, it passes through pressure relief nozzle 11, whichis shown in greater detail in FIG. 5. By relieving the pressure at theexit end of the tubular conduit, the yarn is moved through the conduitby heated air injected into nozzle 6. This permits the yarn to ,passsubstantially centrally within the'tubular conduit and to have heatimparted thereto. Cold air is admitted to the pressure relief nozzlethrough line 41 which assists in cooling and setting of the yarn.

The temperature required within the convoluted conduit to bulk yarn, ofcourse, will vary somewhat depending upon the type of yarn beingprocessed. Using 1/29 Orlon yarn as an example, with a inch tubularconduit containing 14 convolutions, the temperature should be within thegeneral range of about 200 F. to 1 about 350 F. Similarly, the rate oftravel of the yarn through the'tubular conduit affectsthe temperaturewhich is necessary (the faster the yarn travels, the higher thetemperature which is required). The rate of travel is related to thesizeof the tubular conduit and the pressure of the heated air injected intothe first nozzle, since the yarn is to be disposed substantiallycentrally within the tube. In general, the temperature will be withinthe range of about 200 F. to about 500 F., the feed rate of the yarnabout 100 to about 400 yds/- min., and the air pressure from about 5 toabout 20 psi.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the structure of the nozzle 6 is shown. Thenozzle thus includes a solid block of metal 45, such as stainless steel,to retain the heat applied thereto and to make the application of heatto the yarn Y passing therethrough as consistent as possible. The solidblock has a first passageway 46 therein which extends substantiallycentrally longitudinally through the block. A second passageway 47 isalso provided through which heated air is injected from line 31 and gunheater 30. A sensor 48 and a controller 49 (shown schematically) arepreferably connected to the gun heater and line 31 to sense and controlthe temperature of the air entering nozzle 6. The second passageway isdisposed at an angle with respect to the first passageway so that theyarn passing through the nozzle will maintain a desired twist per inch(that is, no twist is to be added or taken out of the yarn as it passesthrough the nozzle and conduit) and the air will pass through the nozzleand conduit with a rifling flow. In general, the angle of intersectionbetween passageways 46 and 47 is from about 1 to about 10, preferablyfrom about 1 to about 5.

In FIG. 5, the nozzle 11 is shown in detail. The nozzle thus includes afirst passageway 50 which connects with the exit end of the tubularconduit 21 (which extends therein) and extends substantially centrallyof the nozzle and communicates with a second passageway 51 which extendsthrough the nozzle block 52 coaxially with the first passageway. A ridge53 is provided within the nozzle block to retain tubular conduit 21therein. The second passageway is of a substantially conicalconfiguration and increases gradually in diameter from the place ofjunction with the-first passageway to a larger diameter at the exit endof the nozzle. Due to the tubular conduit 21 extending into passageway50, the effective diameter of passageway 51 is greater than that ofpassageway which, along with the gradual increase in diameter, providesfor the relief of pressure described previously. The nozzle alsoincludes a third passageway 54 communicating with opening 55 in the wallof the nozzle block which connects with line 56 for the injection ofcold air to the nozzle. The cold air thus contacts the hot yarn toprovide substantially immediate cooling from the processing temperature,and also tends to set the yarn while' .in its relaxed state.

As shown in FIG. 1,'the yarn, after passing through the nozzle 11, iscollected in reservoir 13 of cooling means 12. The cooling meanscomprises a vertically extending hollow mesh column 60 which may be ametal screen with the reservoir positioned adjacent the bottom of thecolumn. The reservoir includes a plurality of fingers 61 interconnectedat their upper extremities through ring 62 and extending inwardly anddownwardly from the wall of the column intersecting centrally of thecolumn adjacent the bottom to form a collecting basket. This permitsyarn to accumulate in the reservoir and thus provide a longer coolingtime before the yarn is wound on the rewind roll. Since the column isformed of a screen or mesh, the heat which would otherwise be trappedwithin the column is permitted to escape and more effective cooling isthus obtained.

In FIG. 6, an integrated operation is shown in which yarn Y from a feedsupply 65 is fed to a plurality of processing stations through feed andpressure rolls 66 and 67 and into the heat treating apparatus which isenclosed within housing 68. A plurality of cooling boxes 69 arepositioned beneath the housing adjacent the pressure relief nozzle ofeach heat treating unit to receive the bulked yarn therefrom for coolingand setting. An electronic control unit 70 is also associated with theapparatus consisting of a master 7] and slaves 72 for each of theprocessing stations. The master and slave controls are interrelated withpreheater 73 to control the temperature of the air being injected intothe nozzles and contacting the yarn, as described previously.

In FIG. 7, bulked yarn produced in accordance with this invention isshown, designated generally by the numeral 75, comprising a plurality ofsubstantially continuous filaments 76 which, due to bulking, extendradially of the longitudinal axis of the yarn. The bulked yarn of thisinvention is of significantly increased loft or bulkiness as comparedwith bulked yarns produced by previously used processes, such as theAutoclave process, and also has a uniformly smooth hand. the increasedloft and bulk can be evidenced by the increase in diameter of the yarnas determined before and after relaxing and setting. For example, 4,000denier two ply polypropylene carpet yarn showed an increase in diameterof approximately 30 percent which, of course, means that more area canbe covered with the same yards/pound of yarn.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingspecific illustrative example.

EXAMPLE Using the apparatus and process previously described, 2,000denier, 300 filament producers twist nylon yarn (0.5 turns/inch) was fedat a speed of 150 yds/min. into the nozzle and convoluted tubularconduit. Heated air at a temperature of approximately 380? F. at l psiwas injected into the nozzle and contacted the yarn passingtherethrough.

The tubular conduit included 14 convolutions and was three-eighths inchin diameter. The time required for the yarn to pass through theconvoluted conduit was approximately 7 seconds.

The pressure relief nozzle positioned at the exit from the convolutedtubular conduit was of the structure shown in FIG. 5. The firstpassageway had a diameter of three-eigths inch, while the secondpassageway increased from a diameter of three-eighths inch at the placeof junction with the first passageway to a diameter of one-half inch atthe exit end of the nozzle. Cold air at a temperature of 70 F. wasinjected at 8 psi into the pressure relief nozzle to facilitate coolingand setting of the yarn. The yarn was collected in the cooling meansshown and remained therein for approximately 20 to 30 seconds, afterwhich it was wound on a rewind roll.

Ten thousand yards of this yarn was produced, which was of significantlyincreased loft or bulk. The yarn was subsequently dyed and found to beuniformly dyeable. It also had a uniformly smooth soft hand, and wassatisfactory in all respects for use in the production of carpet.

Although the above example utilized nylon yarn, it is to be understoodthat other natural'and synthetic yarn may likewise be processed,including orlon, rayon, acetate, polyesters, polyolefins, etc.Similarly, yarns of various count and denier can be utilized. For thesake of brevity of disclosure, however, the example will not beduplicated herein utilizing such other yarns.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention providesapparatus and a process for producing relaxed and set yarn which is ofincreased loft and bulk, uniformly dyeable and of a soft and smoothhand. The apparatus and process also provide for the application ofradiant heat to the yarn which is believed to contribute directly to theproduction of such improved yarn.

I claim:

1. Yarn processing apparatus comprising a tubular convoluted conduitadapted to permit passage of yarn therethrough, a first nozzle connectedto said ,tubular conduit having a passageway therein communicating withthe entrance to said tubular conduit, means communicating with saidpassageway and said first nozzle to introduce air thereto, meansassociated with said air introduction means to heat air prior tointroduction-to said first nozzle, and a second nozzle connected to saidtubular conduit at the exit end thereof, whereby yarn is permitted topass through said first nozzle and said convoluted conduit in asubstantially relaxed condition with radiant heat imparted thereto, saidsecond nozzle comprising a first passageway communicating with said exitend of said tubular conduit, and means communicating with said secondnozzle to admit cold air thereto to contact hot yarn passing throughsaid second nozzle to provide for cooling of such yarn and forsetting'of the same while in a relaxed state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said second nozzle includes asecond passageway communicating with said first passageway and extendingcoaxially with said first passageway through said second nozzle, saidsecond passageway having a diameter at the exitof said second nozzlegreater than its diameter at the place of junction with said firstpassageway.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said second passageway in saidsecond nozzle is of a substantially conical configuration increasinggradually in diameter from said place of junction to said exit from saidsecond nozzle.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said second nozzle includes a thirdpassageway intersecting said second passageway through which air may beinjected into said second nozzle.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first nozzle comprises a solidmetallic block, whereby said nozzle will retain heat applied thereto,with said passageway extending substantially centrally longitudinallytherethrough, and a second passageway intersecting said first passagewayat an angle and communicating with said air introduction means, wherebyheated air may be introduced to said nozzle and yarn passing throughsaid nozzle may maintain a desired twist per inch.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said second passageway and saidfirst passageway of said first nozzle intersect at anangle ofapproximately 1 to about 10.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said angle is within the range ofapproximately 1 to about 5.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including cooling means positioned toreceive yarn from the exit end of said pressure relief nozzle comprisinga vertically extending hollow mesh column having a reservoir therein inwhich yarn may accumulate to facilitate cooling.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said reservoir comprises meanspositioned within said column extending inwardly and downwardly from thewall thereof to form a collecting basket adjacent the bottom of saidcolumn.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said reservoir comprises aplurality of fingers interconnected by a ring atone end thereof andextending inwardly and downwardly from the wall of said columnintersecting one another and forming a collecting basket adjacent thebottom of said column.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 including means to remove yam from saidcolumn and means positioned adjacent the bottom of said column to applytension to yarn being removed from said column.

12. Yarn processing apparatus comprising a tubular convoluted conduitadapted to permit the passage of yarn therethrough, a first nozzleconnected to said tubular conduit having a first passageway thereincommunicating with the entrance to said conduit, means communicatingwith said passageway in said nozzle to inject air thereto, meansassociated with such air injection means to heat air prior tointroduction to said nozzle, means associated with said tubular conduitto impart heat thereto, said first nozzle comprising a solid metallicblock to facilitate the retention of heat applied to said nozzle, saidfirst passageway thereof extending substantially centrallylongitudinally therethrough, and a second passageway communicating withsaid air injection means and intersecting said first passageway at anangle whereby yarn passing through said nozzle may maintain a desiredtwist per inch, and a second nozzle connected to the exit end of saidtubular conduit, said second nozzle comprising a first passagewaycommunicating with said exit end of said convoluted tubular conduit andextending substantially centrally of said second nozzle and meanscommunicating with said second nozzle to admit cold air thereto tocontact and cool hot yarn passing through said second nozzle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said second nozzle includes asecond passageway communicating with said first passageway and extendingcoaxially with said first passageway through said second nozzle, saidsecond passageway having a diameter at the exit end of said secondnozzle greater than its diameter at the place of junctionwith said firstpassageway in said second nozzle, said second passageway in said secondnozzle'being of a substantially conical configuration increasinggradually in diameter from said place of junction with said firstpassageway end of said second nozzle. a

14. The apparatus of claim 12 in which cooling means are positioned toreceive yarn from the exit end of said pressure relief nozzle comprisinga vertically extending hollow mesh column having a reservoir therein inwhich yarn may accumulate to facilitate cooling.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said reservoir comprises meanspositioned within said column extending inwardly and downwardly from thewall of said column to form a collecting basket adjacent the bottomthereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 in which cooling means are positionedadjacent the exit end of said second nozzle to receive yarn exitingtherefrom.

17. Yarn processing apparatus comprising a tubular convoluted conduitadapted to permit the passage of yarn therethrough, a first nozzleconnected to said tubular conduit and having a passageway thereincommunicating with the entrance to said tubular conduit, meanscommunicating with said passageway and said first nozzle to introduceair thereto, means associated with said air. introduction means to heatair prior to the introduction into said first nozzle, means associatedwith said tubular conduit to impart heat thereto, and a second nozzleconnected to said tubular conduit at the exit end thereof, whereby yarnis permitted to pass through said first nozzle and said convolutedconduit in a substantially relaxed condition with heat imparted thereto,said second nozzle comprising a passageway communicating with said exitend of said tubular conduit, and means communicating with said secondnozzle to admit cold air thereto to contact hot yarn passing throughsaid second nozzle to cool such yarn and set the same while in a relaxedstate.

18. Yarn processing apparatus comprising atubular convoluted conduitadapted to permit yarn to pass therethrough, a first nozzle connected tosaid tubular conduit at the entrance end of said conduit with a firstpassageway extending substantially centrally longitudinally through saidnozzle and communicating with the entrance to said tubular conduit and asecond passageway intersecting said first passageway at an acute anglewithin said nozzle, said second passageway communicating with means tointroduce heated air thereto, means associated with said tubular conduitto impart heat thereto and to yarn passing through said conduit, and asecond nozzle connected to said tubular conduit at the exit end thereof,whereby yarn is permitted to pass through said first nozzle and saidconvoluted conduit in a substantially relaxed condition with radiantheat imparted thereto, said second nozzle comprising a passagewaycommunicating with said exit end of said tubular conduit, and meanscommunicating with said second nozzle to admit cold thereto to contacthot yarn passing through said second nozzle to provide substantiallyimmediate cooling for such yarn.

19. A process of relaxing and setting yarn comprising passing yarnthrough anozzle and a tubular convoluted conduit connected to saidnozzle, injecting heated air through said nozzle to contact said yarn atan acute angle within said nozzle to cause said yarn to pass throughsaid convoluted conduit while maintaining a desired twist per inch,imparting heat to said yarn within said tubular conduit, passing saidyarn through a second nozzle connected to the exit end of saidconvoluted conduit, and contacting the heated yarn within said secondnozzle with cold air to provide substantially immediate cooling for saidyarn while in the relaxed state.

20. The process of claim 19 in which air is injected into said nozzle tointersect said yarn passing therethrough at an angle of approximately 1to about 5.

21. The process of claim 19 in which said heated air has a pressure ofabout 5 to about 20 psi and said yarn is moving at a speed ofapproximately to about 400 yds/min.

22. The process of claim 19 in which said air is at a temperature ofapproximately 200 F. to about 500 F.

when injected into said nozzle.

1. Yarn processing apparatus comprising a tubular convoluted conduitadapted to permit passage of yarn therethrough, a first nozzle connectedto said tubular conduit having a passageway therein communicating withthe entrance to said tubular conduit, means communicating with saidpassageway and said first nozzle to introduce air thereto, meansassociated with said air introduction means to heat air prior tointroduction to said first nozzle, and a second nozzle connected to saidtubular conduit at the exit end thereof, whereby yarn is permitted topass through said first nozzle and said convoluted conduit in asubstantially relaxed condition with radiant heat imparted thereto, saidsecond nozzle comprising a first passageway communicating with said exitend of said tubular conduit, and means communicating with said secondnozzle to admit cold air thereto to contact hot yarn passing throughsaid second nozzle to provide for cooling of such yarn and for settingof the same while in a relaxed state.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 inwhich said second nozzle includes a second passageway communicating withsaid first passageway and extending coaxially with said first passagewaythrough said second nozzle, said second passageway having a diameter atthe exit of said second nozzle greater than its diameter at the place ofjunction with said first passageway.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 inwhich said second passageway in said second nozzle is of a substantiallyconical configuration increasing gradually in diameter from said placeof junction to said exit from said second nozzle.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 2 in which said second nozzle includes a third passagewayintersecting said second passageway through which air may be injectedinto said second nozzle.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said firstnozzle comprises a solid metallic block, whereby said nozzle will retainheat applied thereto, with said passageway extending substantiallycentrally longitudinally therethrough, and a second passagewayintersecting said first passageway at an angle and communicating withsaid air introduction means, whereby heated air may be introduced tosaid nozzle and yarn passing through said nozzle may maintain a desiredtwist per inch.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said secondpassageway and said first passageway of said first nozzle intersect atan angle of approximately 1* to about 10*.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6in which said angle is within the range of approximately 1* to about 5*.8. The apparatus of claim 1 including cooling meanS positioned toreceive yarn from the exit end of said pressure relief nozzle comprisinga vertically extending hollow mesh column having a reservoir therein inwhich yarn may accumulate to facilitate cooling.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 in which said reservoir comprises means positioned within saidcolumn extending inwardly and downwardly from the wall thereof to form acollecting basket adjacent the bottom of said column.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9 in which said reservoir comprises a plurality of fingersinterconnected by a ring at one end thereof and extending inwardly anddownwardly from the wall of said column intersecting one another andforming a collecting basket adjacent the bottom of said column.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 9 including means to remove yarn from said column andmeans positioned adjacent the bottom of said column to apply tension toyarn being removed from said column.
 12. Yarn processing apparatuscomprising a tubular convoluted conduit adapted to permit the passage ofyarn therethrough, a first nozzle connected to said tubular conduithaving a first passageway therein communicating with the entrance tosaid conduit, means communicating with said passageway in said nozzle toinject air thereto, means associated with such air injection means toheat air prior to introduction to said nozzle, means associated withsaid tubular conduit to impart heat thereto, said first nozzlecomprising a solid metallic block to facilitate the retention of heatapplied to said nozzle, said first passageway thereof extendingsubstantially centrally longitudinally therethrough, and a secondpassageway communicating with said air injection means and intersectingsaid first passageway at an angle whereby yarn passing through saidnozzle may maintain a desired twist per inch, and a second nozzleconnected to the exit end of said tubular conduit, said second nozzlecomprising a first passageway communicating with said exit end of saidconvoluted tubular conduit and extending substantially centrally of saidsecond nozzle and means communicating with said second nozzle to admitcold air thereto to contact and cool hot yarn passing through saidsecond nozzle.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which said second nozzleincludes a second passageway communicating with said first passagewayand extending coaxially with said first passageway through said secondnozzle, said second passageway having a diameter at the exit end of saidsecond nozzle greater than its diameter at the place of junction withsaid first passageway in said second nozzle, said second passageway insaid second nozzle being of a substantially conical configurationincreasing gradually in diameter from said place of junction with saidfirst passageway end of said second nozzle.
 14. The apparatus of claim12 in which cooling means are positioned to receive yarn from the exitend of said pressure relief nozzle comprising a vertically extendinghollow mesh column having a reservoir therein in which yarn mayaccumulate to facilitate cooling.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 in whichsaid reservoir comprises means positioned within said column extendinginwardly and downwardly from the wall of said column to form acollecting basket adjacent the bottom thereof.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which cooling means are positioned adjacent the exit end ofsaid second nozzle to receive yarn exiting therefrom.
 17. Yarnprocessing apparatus comprising a tubular convoluted conduit adapted topermit the passage of yarn therethrough, a first nozzle connected tosaid tubular conduit and having a passageway therein communicating withthe entrance to said tubular conduit, means communicating with saidpassageway and said first nozzle to introduce air thereto, meansassociated with said air introduction means to heat air prior to theintroduction into said first nozzle, means associated with said tubularconduit to impart heat thereto, and a second nozzle connected to saidtubular conduit at thE exit end thereof, whereby yarn is permitted topass through said first nozzle and said convoluted conduit in asubstantially relaxed condition with heat imparted thereto, said secondnozzle comprising a passageway communicating with said exit end of saidtubular conduit, and means communicating with said second nozzle toadmit cold air thereto to contact hot yarn passing through said secondnozzle to cool such yarn and set the same while in a relaxed state. 18.Yarn processing apparatus comprising a tubular convoluted conduitadapted to permit yarn to pass therethrough, a first nozzle connected tosaid tubular conduit at the entrance end of said conduit with a firstpassageway extending substantially centrally longitudinally through saidnozzle and communicating with the entrance to said tubular conduit and asecond passageway intersecting said first passageway at an acute anglewithin said nozzle, said second passageway communicating with means tointroduce heated air thereto, means associated with said tubular conduitto impart heat thereto and to yarn passing through said conduit, and asecond nozzle connected to said tubular conduit at the exit end thereof,whereby yarn is permitted to pass through said first nozzle and saidconvoluted conduit in a substantially relaxed condition with radiantheat imparted thereto, said second nozzle comprising a passagewaycommunicating with said exit end of said tubular conduit, and meanscommunicating with said second nozzle to admit cold thereto to contacthot yarn passing through said second nozzle to provide substantiallyimmediate cooling for such yarn.
 19. A process of relaxing and settingyarn comprising passing yarn through a nozzle and a tubular convolutedconduit connected to said nozzle, injecting heated air through saidnozzle to contact said yarn at an acute angle within said nozzle tocause said yarn to pass through said convoluted conduit whilemaintaining a desired twist per inch, imparting heat to said yarn withinsaid tubular conduit, passing said yarn through a second nozzleconnected to the exit end of said convoluted conduit, and contacting theheated yarn within said second nozzle with cold air to providesubstantially immediate cooling for said yarn while in the relaxedstate.
 20. The process of claim 19 in which air is injected into saidnozzle to intersect said yarn passing therethrough at an angle ofapproximately 1* to about 5*.
 21. The process of claim 19 in which saidheated air has a pressure of about 5 to about 20 psi and said yarn ismoving at a speed of approximately 100 to about 400 yds/min.
 22. Theprocess of claim 19 in which said air is at a temperature ofapproximately 200*F. to about 500* F. when injected into said nozzle.